About the CRRC

If you are a roofing product manufacturer or seller who wants to rate a product, you must first become licensed with the CRRC (click here for more information).

If you are a home or building owner, operator or facilities manager, architect, specifier, contractor, roofing consultant, or building inspector looking for specific product information, take a look at the Resources for Home and Building Owners page and online Rated Products Directory. The Rated Products Directory allows you to conveniently search for and compare roofing products by product type, minimum radiative property values, color, roof slope, brand, and more. Manufacturer contact information is provided for each product so you can directly request product specification sheets.

2. Are all of the roofing products on the CRRC Rated Products Directory "cool"?

The CRRC does not set a definition for "cool." We leave this to the code bodies and programs that reference the CRRC. Those entities set minimum performance requirements for roofs. The CRRC simply provides the accurately measured radiative property values on the online Rated Products Directory. A product's placement on the Rated Products Directory does not guarantee that the product is "cool" as defined by any particular code body or program.

3. Does CRRC manufacture or sell roofing materials?

No. The CRRC strictly maintains a rating system for the radiative properties of roof surfaces. We do not make, endorse, or sell any specific roofing products. Please visit the online Rated Products Directory for information on CRRC rated products.

4. Is CRRC a California program?

No. While it is true that California's Building Energy Efficiency Standards (commonly known as Title 24, Part 6) refer to the CRRC's Product Rating Program, the CRRC is not a "California" program. Any city ordinance, state code, or program may reference the CRRC's Product Rating Program.

5. Is the CRRC government-affiliated?

No. The CRRC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that maintains a third-party, independent product rating program to measure the radiative properties of the surface layer of roofing products. Government entities or other interested parties may refer to the CRRC as a reliable, credible source of radiative property data. This information is disseminated to the public at no charge via the online Rated Products Directory. Government entities may also participate as CRRC Class B members (see Members page http://coolroofs.org/members/become-a-member for more information on CRRC membership).

Licensing

6. Our company needs to be licensed as an OM and LS. Is there a discount for being both?

Good news! All CRRC Licensees are considered the same, and you no longer need to be licensed separately as an LS and OM.

7. Company A manufactures a membrane that is required to be coated in the field by a product manufactured by Company B. Is it necessary for both Company A and Company B to become CRRC Licensees in order for the system to be CRRC rated?

No. The CRRC defines a roofing product as the "material designed, manufactured and constructed as the uppermost part of the roof assembly that is in direct contact with solar radiation." Only Company B needs to become a CRRC Licensee.

8. Company A produces and markets a roofing product that is manufactured from a coil of coated steel provided by Company B. Company B applies the coating to the coiled steel, but the coating is manufactured by Company C. In order to rate the roofing product, which company needs to become a CRRC Licensee?

Company A must become a CRRC Licensee since this is the entity that is labeling the final product with the brand name and bringing it to market. Company C must also become a CRRC Licensee because its coating has an impact on the radiative properties of the finished product.

9. What is the difference between a Licensed Seller (LS) and an Other Manufacturer (OM)?

The CRRC no longer distinguishes between Licensed Sellers and Other Manufacturers. All CRRC Licensees will indicate the intended customer, whether end-users, other roofing manufacturers, or both, on their product applications. More information can be found on our "Becoming a Licensee" webpage.

Logo and Label

If you are using the CRRC “Multiple Product Extended Label” you can list up to four rated products on one label. However, you cannot extend the label to include more than four products. The “Single CRRC Product Label” is product-specific and can only list the CRRC Product ID number associated with the one rated product upon which it is placed. If needed, a Licensee can print all of the applicable labels onto the wrapper and then clearly indicate which one applies to the specific product. The product label cannot be altered in any way, nor can a non-CRRC label be used to label CRRC rated products.

11. I can't find the CRRC Product Label on the website. Where is it?

If you are a Licensee with products rated with the CRRC, please contact us to request the official CRRC Product Label files. Once the CRRC has verified that your product has successfully completed the rating process, the CRRC will email you the label files.

12. I am a CRRC Licensee. Can I use the CRRC member logo on my product or product packaging?

No. The member logo is only for use by CRRC members. If you are a CRRC Licensee and want to use the member logo, you must also become a CRRC member. The member logo can only be used on company letterheads, correspondence, and promotional materials. Click here [PDF] for an instructional document with more specific, detailed information on appropriate member logo use.

Membership

14. If my company is a distributor of another company that is a CRRC Member, can I use the Member logo?

No. Member logos may only be used by the member company and its subsidiaries. You may only use the Member logo if your company is a CRRC member or if you are a direct subsidiary of a CRRC member company. Otherwise, please join the CRRC to use the member logo.

15. What is the difference between a CRRC Member and a CRRC Licensee?

A CRRC Licensee can rate products with the CRRC (which are listed on the online Rated Products Directory), and has the right to use the CRRC Product Label to display the lab-tested solar reflectance and thermal emittance values. For more information, click here.

A CRRC Member can participate in and vote on critical organizational policies (such as electing members of the Board of Directors and approving changes to the CRRC bylaws), interface with leading industry colleagues, serve on the CRRC Board and committees, and use the CRRC Member logo for marketing purposes. Any individual or organization interested in the rating of roof surface radiative properties and/or the energy efficiency of roofs can become a CRRC member. There are two classes of CRRC Membership: Class A and Class B. For more information, click here.

Product Rating and Rated Products Directory

16. What are minimum requirements for SR and TE of products on the CRRC Product Directory?

The CRRC does not set minimum requirements for solar reflectance and thermal emittance; any product can be rated with the CRRC regardless of the reflectance and emittance values as long as it is tested in accordance with the CRRC-1 Program Manual [PDF].

17. Do you rate radiant heat barriers, or can you provide info about cool roofs combined with insulation?

No. At this time, the CRRC only focuses on the surface properties of roofing materials.

18. Is there a different test my company needs to do in order to rate a product as both low & steep slope if it was originally listed as just a low-slope product?

No — we can change it. Products that are designed and rated for use on both low and steep slopes are exposed on the test farm at a low slope, so it is okay to go from low to low/steep. However, the opposite (going from steep to low/steep) is not possible; you would have to retest your product.

19. How long does it typically take for my product to be listed on the CRRC Product Directory?

The Rated Products Directory is updated in real-time based on products that have an active CRRC rating. CRRC staff strive to approve applications within a couple weeks of receiving all the necessary information and payment, though during busy times, there may be a backlog for processing. Any missing documentation or inaccuracies on the application or test results report will cause additional delays.

21. How do I change my product information on the Rated Products Directory?

You can update some of the basic information about your product, such as Brand and Model Name, using the CRRC Online Rating Portal at any time. For more significant changes, please contact the CRRC and describe the changes you would like to make.

Rapid Ratings - For LS and OM

22. Can Rapid Ratings be used to meet Title 24 requirements?

Yes. Rapid Ratings serve as an alternative compliance option in addition to the aged rating equation (i.e. calculated aged value) in California's Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (also known as Title 24, Part 6). Rapid Ratings are referred to as “accelerated aged” values in Title 24. Please note that the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) value that is calculated using the Rapid Rating value may change when three-year weathered values replace the Rapid Ratings, which is interim laboratory-aged values.

23. Is there a separate Rapid Ratings product label?

Yes. Upon completing the Rapid Rating application process, you will also receive a CRRC Rapid Ratings Product Label from the CRRC. Once the three-year weathering process is complete, and you have successfully completed the aged rating process the CRRC will send you the aged product label. In addition to replacing the Rapid Ratings with the three-year aged ratings on the Rated Products Directory, the product label with the aged values will replace the Rapid Ratings product label.

24. If I submit a product for a Rapid Ratings, does the product still need to complete the three-year weathering process?

Yes. Rapid Ratings is an optional step in addition to the standard product rating process. All products must still be tested for the initial product ratings by a CRRC Accredited Independent Testing Laboratory and undergo three-year weathering at a CRRC-approved Test Farm. Once the three-year weathering process is complete, the measured aged values will replace the interim Rapid Ratings in the online Product Rating Directory. Licensees must use an updated CRRC product label with the three-year aged values for all products manufactured immediately after the date the aged values become publicly available.

25. What happens to CRRC rated products that do not have Rapid Ratings?

Rapid Ratings are optional and are not substitutes for the three-year weathering process required for aged ratings. Licensees that do not wish to participate in the Rapid Ratings program will continue to be listed on the CRRC Rated Products Directory with "pending" aged values until the three-year weathering process is complete and the aged values are posted.

26. How long does it take for a product to receive a Rapid Rating?

The Rapid Ratings Program utilizes the Practice for Laboratory Aging of Roofing Products (ASTM D7897) to simulate the soiling and weathering of roofing product samples. This process is completed over the course of a few days. Rapid Ratings may be reflected on the CRRC Rated Products Directory within a few weeks of the CRRC receiving all the necessary application information and test results from the Rapid Ratings Lab.

Rapid Ratings - For Test Labs

27. What test methods do I use for products going through the Rapid Ratings process?

All products are still tested using the current test methods as approved by the CRRC. The Rapid Ratings process utilizes the Practice for Laboratory Aging of Roofing Products (ASTM D7897) to simulate the soiling and weathering of roofing product samples. The use of a test method for measuring Solar Reflectance and Thermal Emittance is determined by the type of product being tested. See ANSI/CRRC S100 and the CRRC-1 Product Rating Program Manual [PDF] for more detailed information on test methods and product types.

28. Where do I get the carbon black sample for the soot mixture?

25 mL bottles of carbon black can be obtained from the CRRC. Contact the CRRC for more information.

29. How do I reconcile the different sizes between the reference specimen used for calibration and the test specimen?

Masking tape can be used to reduce the usable area of a test specimen to 10 cm by 10 cm for standard products (e.g., single-ply, factory-applied, field-applied) that are not profiled or variegated in color or texture.

30. Since the Rapid Ratings process uses the Practice for Laboratory Aging of Roofing Products (ASTM D7897) which calls for a 10 cm by 10 cm reference standard for calibration, whereas the CRRC requires minimum specimen dimensions that are larger, can the slide method still be used for a product that goes through the Rapid Ratings process?

Yes. The slide method can be used on specimens with a minimum usable area of 10 cm by 10 cm (or 4 in by 4 in).

31. Do I need to complete initial Solar Reflectance and Thermal Emittance tests prior to conducting the Practice for Laboratory Aging of Roofing Materials?

Yes. If an application is submitted for a Rapid Rating and the product has already previously received initial ratings, a Rapid Ratings Lab is required to take the initial Solar Reflectance and Thermal Emittance measurements for the test specimens sent by the manufacturer, as well as the laboratory-aged measurements after conducting the Practice for Laboratory Aging of Roofing Products (ASTM D7897); the lab will submit the test results via the CRRC’s Online Rating Portal. If a product is concurrently receiving its initial testing and lab-aged testing, the lab must submit both sets of test results via the CRRC’s Online Rating Portal.

32. If we plan to include ASTM D7897 in our ISO 17025 Scope of Accreditation when we renew our accreditation so that we can meet one of the requirements for becoming a CRRC Rapid Ratings Lab, when are we required to provide proof of accreditation to the CRRC?

The lab is required to upload a copy of your current ISO 17025 Scope of Accreditation to the CRRC’s Online Rating Portal immediately after the scope is renewed by the lab’s accreditation agency. Contact the CRRC for more information.

33. When is the next CRRC Rapid Ratings training workshop?

Though the CRRC strives to hold laboratory trainings once a year, trainings are often held based on demand. Additional trainings may be offered if there is sufficient interest. Contact the CRRC for more information.

Random Testing

34. How is a Licensee expected to comply with the Random Testing Program?

When a Licensee rates a product, that company must supply contact information for the manufacturing facility/location from which the final product can be collected. The Licensee must also provide contact information for primary and secondary Licensee contacts, who the CRRC can contact in the event that the manufacturing facility contact is unable to provide a sample. The above information is submitted via the CRRC’s Online Rating Portal.

35. How does the Random Testing Program work?

When a company becomes a CRRC Licensee, that company agrees to participate in the CRRC's Random Testing Program.The purpose of random testing is to verify that a rated product’s radiative properties have not significantly changed. Each year, a percentage of the products listed with the CRRC are selected at random for testing. A sample is collected either from a distributor or contractor carrying the selected product or directly from the point of manufacturing, and is tested to verify that the rated values reflect what is being sold in the marketplace. The longer that a product has been listed on the Rated Product Directory, the more likely that product will be chosen each subsequent year for random testing. If the measured values are more than +/- 0.05 from the rated values, the product fails random testing and the Board of Directors will take corrective action. Chapter 3.6 and Appendix 4 of the CRRC-1 Product Rating Program Manual [PDF] for detailed information.

Testing & ASTM Standards

36. What is the difference between an Accredited Independent Testing Laboratory (AITL) and an Accredited Manufacturer Testing Laboratory (AMTL)?

An Accredited Independent Testing Laboratory (AITL) is not affiliated with a roofing manufacturer. Solar reflectance and thermal emittance tests for standards products must be conducted by an AITL. An Accredited Manufacturer Testing Laboratory (AMTL) is a laboratory that is affiliated with a roofing manufacturer. AMTL test results may be used for Custom Color Products only. Click here for a list of participating laboratories.

37. How does the CRRC ensure standardization of the Rating Program across all of your Accredited Independent Testing Laboratories (AITLs)?

The CRRC requires its AITLs to participate in an Interlaboratory Comparison that occurs bi-annually, to ensure that the AITLs are conforming to the CRRC’s testing and reporting requirements.

38. Can one of the CRRC Accredited Independent Testing Laboratories test in-service roofs?

Please contact one of the AITLs on the CRRC website directly with your inquiry. If an AITL agrees to take measurements in situ, the test results cannot be used to receive a CRRC product rating. Only testing conducted in accordance with the CRRC’s requirements in the CRRC-1 Product Rating Program Manual [PDF] and ANSI/CRRC S100 is permitted.

39. How often does the CRRC hold lab training workshops?

Though the CRRC strives to hold laboratory trainings once a year, trainings are often held based on demand. Additional trainings may be offered if there is sufficient interest. Please contact us if you are interested in participating in the next lab training.

Tested values are radiative properties measured by an AITL or AMTL. Rated values are the radiative properties that are listed on the online Rated Products Directory and the CRRC Product Label. The rated values must be less than or equal to the tested values.

While cool roof owners may pay slightly more to heat their homes, this penalty is usually insignificant compared to the cooling energy savings during the summer. Why?

In the wintertime, the sun is much lower in the sky and less intense. (Passive solar heating usually occurs from sunshine streaming through windows this time of year).

There is a higher incidence of cloudy days, and in some regions the roof is covered in snow for long periods.

Winter days are shorter (fewer hours of sunshine).

A cool roof will not shed more heat proportionate to other types of roofing materials at night or on cloudy days. It will simply limit the amount of heat entering the building on hot summer days.

2. Are cool roofs affordable?

Yes. Many cool roof varieties cost the same amount as other comparable roofing materials, and for those that cost slightly more, the difference is often quickly recovered in savings from reduced energy costs.

3. What is SRI and how is it measured?

The Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) is a measure defined by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as the roof's ability to reject solar heat, as shown by a small temperature rise. It is defined so that a standard black (reflectance 0.05, emittance 0.90) is 0 and a standard white (reflectance 0.80, emittance 0.90) is 100. Due to the way SRI is defined, particularly hot materials can even take slightly negative values, and particularly cool materials can even exceed 100.

4. Which solar reflectance and thermal emittance values are used to calculate the SRI values?

The SRI values for initial SRI are based on the initial solar reflectance and thermal emittance values listed for each product in the CRRC Rated Product Directory. The aged (three year) solar reflectance and thermal emittance values listed in the Rated Product Directory are used to determine the aged SRI value. This differs from the California Energy Commission (CEC) SRI value for Title 24 compliance, which is calculated by using only the aged radiative properties' values. If the aged values are not available, the CEC SRI value is calculated using the calculator worksheet found here. Thus, the CRRC initial SRI value may NOT correlate with the California Energy Commission (CEC) SRI value.

5. What are Solar Reflectance and Thermal Emittance?

Solar reflectance and thermal emittance are the two radiative properties used to measure the "coolness" of a roof.

6. How do I compute the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of a roofing product?

SRI is an alternative method for considering the radiative properties of roofing materials. SRI is defined by ASTM Standard E1980-01 and is a calculation that uses solar reflectance and thermal emittance. EPA summarizes SRI as "the relative steady-state surface temperature with respect to the standard white (SRI=100) and standard black (SRI=0) under the standard solar and ambient conditions." SRI is often used as an alternative for products that have a low thermal emittance but a very high solar reflectance - the theory is that the higher solar reflectance will outweigh the impact of a low thermal emittance.

7. Are there other "cool" options besides white roof coatings?

Yes. Cool roofs are available in almost every common product type in a wide variety of colors – including "cool" black in some cases. You can filter by color in our Rated Products Directory.

8. Can the CRRC tell me which product is best for me?

No. While the CRRC can answer many general questions about the radiative properties of roofs, the CRRC cannot recommend specific products or types. Once you have looked at the Rated Products Directory, you are encourage to contact the manufacturers of the products in which you are interested, or contact a private contractor or roof consultant to assist in choosing the "coolest" product for your home or project.

Several electric utility companies offer rebates for the installation of cool roofing materials in new construction and/or roof retrofits. Please check with your local utility to find out if there are cool roof rebates in your area. Visit http://coolroofs.org/resources/rebates-and-codes for more detailed rebate information.

2. Does the CRRC or Title 24 accept ENERGY STAR ratings?

No, the CRRC requires independent testing which must be performed by a CRRC accredited laboratory. ENERGY STAR ratings were accepted for Title 24 compliance in the past, but are no longer; products must be rated with the CRRC.

3. What is the CRRC's relationship to California Energy Commission's Building Energy Code, Title 24?

The CRRC has been referenced by Title 24 as the supervisory entity for solar reflectance and thermal emittance data that Title 24 accepts for compliance. In order to be considered a "cool roof product" for Title 24 compliance, the product must be rated with the CRRC in addition to meeting other Title 24 requirements. Please visit the CEC website for additional requirement information: www.energy.ca.gov/title24.

4. What is a green building program? Can the CRRC tell me about some different green building programs?

Green building is a growing trend in American architecture. To provide guidance on what makes a building "green": several organizations have developed voluntary guidelines and certification programs. Some jurisdictions have adopted these green building programs as mandatory requirements. For example, New York City requires that many of the city's new municipal buildings meet LEED requirements. Several other jurisdictions, including Seattle and Atlanta, have adopted similar measures.

USGBC's LEED

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the US Green Building Council's Green Building Rating System, a voluntary certification program for sustainable buildings. Under LEED Version 4, the following rating systems award up to 2 points for heat island reduction, including options for using cool roofs, under the Sustainable Sites Credit: Building Design and Construction (BD+C), Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M), Neighborhood Development (ND), and Homes. LEED Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) awards up to 1 point under Innovation: Heat island reduction. To read more about the options and requirements for each rating system, visit http://coolroofs.org/resources/leed.

Green Globes

Green Globes V.2 Rating System is a questionnaire-based green building rating system, which allots up to 1000 points for different measures in several categories. Under the "Energy" category, up to 6 points can be earned for using high albedo, or "cool" roof surfacing. To earn this credit, Green Globes requires 40% or more of the exposed roof surface to either be a vegetated roof surface or use roofing materials with a Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) value greater than or equal to 78 for low-slope roofs or 29 for steep-slope roofs, in Climate Zones 1 through 5.

5. Does the CRRC have information on additional energy resources?

The following websites provide users with an initial perspective on what codes a given state or jurisdiction has adopted. It should be noted that compliance is the responsibility of the building owner and that the local jurisdiction should be contacted to confirm the code(s) that are adopted and in effect.

Energy Codes Ocean Online Code Environment & Advocacy Network

Energy Codes Ocean, previously the Building Codes Assistance Project, provides visual overviews of state energy code adoptions for both residential and commercial codes in the form of interactive maps of the U.S.

Department of Energy (DOE)

The Department of Energy maintains a building energy code program that includes an interactive map of the United States that allows users to check the status of energy codes in any state by simply clicking on the state(s) in which they are interested.

6. What information can the CRRC give me relating to energy codes?

Two primary organizations, the International Code Council (ICC) and the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) have developed National Model Energy Codes. These codes are not mandatory or enforceable until a jurisdiction adopts them as part of regulation or law. In the U.S., many states and jurisdictions have adopted these organizations' codes, while others like California and the City of Chicago have developed their own.

California's Title 24

The California Energy Commission's Building Energy Efficiency Standard, Title 24, includes a cool roof prescription for low-slope (less than 2:12) and steep-slope (graeter than 2:12) nonresidential, high-rise residential, and residential roofs for new construction and major re-roofing. Section 10-113 requires that cool roofs be tested and labeled by the Cool Roof Rating Council.

Title 24 defines a cool roof as any roofing product with a minimum three-year aged solar reflectance of 0.63 when tested in accordance with CRRC-1, a minimum three-year aged thermal emittance greater than or equal to 0.75 when tested in accordance with CRRC-1, and a minimum SRI of 75 for low-sloped roofs. For steep-sloped roofs, minimum aged solar reflectance is 0.20, minimum aged thermal emitance is 0.75, and minimum SRI is 16. For more details, visit http://coolroofs.org/resources/california-title-24.

Cool roofs are not a mandatory measure for Title 24. Nonresidential buildings with low-sloped roofs can comply by choosing one of the following compliance options: the Performance Approach, the Envelope Component Approach or the Overall Envelope Approach (the latter two are under the larger umbrella, Prescriptive Approach). Depending on which option is chosen, a cool roof may or may not be necessary for compliance.

City of Chicago

International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

The International Energy Conservation Code is a national model energy code produced by the International Code Council (ICC). The code contains minimum energy efficiency provisions for residential and commercial buildings, offering both prescriptive- and performance-based approaches. The 2003 and 2006 versions of the IECC reference ASHRAE 90.1.

Energy Efficient Design of Low-Rise Residential Buildings, section 5.5, also allows for reduced roof insulation with a cool roof, but sets the minimum solar reflectance at 0.65 or allows an SRI value of 75. SRI is a calculation measured from 0 to 100, using solar reflectance and thermal emittance, defined by ASTM E1980. Section 5.5 also states that values for solar reflectance and thermal emittance shall be determined by a laboratory accredited by a nationally recognized organization, citing the Cool Roof Rating Council as an example. This allowance is permitted in climate zones one, two and three only.

ASHRAE also produces Advanced Energy Design Guides, which include the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Office Buildings and Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Retail. These guides provide energy-efficiency measures that can be directly applied depending on the project and will reduce energy use compared to ASHRAE Standard 90.1-1999. In climate zones 1, 2, and 3, which cover the southern states of the U.S., the design guide includes a suggestion for cool roofs and references the CRRC Product Rating Program.

7. What roof rating programs are out there?

Roof rating programs provide a source of radiative performance data for roofing products, as well as a means of exploring and comparing different roofing options. There are currently two nationally recognized roof rating programs in the United States: the Cool Roof Rating Council's Product Rating Program and the Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR Reflective Roof program.

The Cool Roof Rating Council

The Cool Roof Rating Council maintains a credible and unbiased third-party rating program for measuring and reporting the radiative properties of roof surfaces. The CRRC publishes the measured solar reflectance and thermal emittance values in their online Rated Products Directory and on CRRC Product Labels for use by roof specifiers, code officials, architects, contractors, engineers, and building owners. Radiative property values are measured by CRRC Accredited

Independent Testing Laboratories, not by manufacturers (this excludes Custom Colors for factory-applied metal coatings, which be measured by CRRC Accredited Manufacturing Testing Laboratories). The CRRC does not define what is "cool" or set minimum requirements. Any roofing product may be listed on the CRRC Directory with its respective measured values when rated in compliance with the CRRC Product Rating Program Manual (CRRC-1). Using the online Rated Products Directory, interested parties can search through a comprehensive list of ratings and narrow their results to products that meet their project criteria.

ENERGY STAR

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ENERGY STAR Reflective Roof program is complementary to the CRRC Product Rating Program. Manufacturers can choose to rate their products with ENERGY STAR as long as they meet ENERGY STAR's minimum specifications. The ENERGY STAR program accepts either ratings provided from the manufacturer's own testing or ratings from the CRRC Product Rating Program.